Bulletin boards have been used for decades to promote community awareness. Sometimes they are a smattering of papers with no central theme. Other times they emphasize a topical focus well, but offer nothing more than viewing. In our creative age, we have opportunity to transition usage of bulletin boards in way that honors simplicity while creating community purpose.
Interactive bulletin boards ask a question and invite participants to respond. This shifts the emphasis from observer to participant - passive verses active - and provides many unique benefits.
Generates Welcome
When individuals enter a space and see invitation to be part of a shared community conversation it creates welcome. They are no longer individuals in a space, but individuals whose voice is encouraged. These attention grabbers engage individuals in their environment, generating excitement.
2. Creates Belonging
From the tiniest of people who draw their response as pictures to the most mature in age who share with the deepest understanding, people like to contribute and be part of a communal whole. This creates buy-in and energy standalone boards cannot.
3. Fosters Encouragement
In this "12 Months of Bulletin Board Prompts: For Congregations & Private Schools" prompts range from "If I could sit on a bench and talk with someone from the Bible it would be..." to "I lifted someone up this week by..." to "My favorite Christmas tradition is..." Viewing others' responses to these prompts results in digging into the Bible to learn a little more about the people in it and why another admires them, inspiring suggestions about how to be a good friend/community member one could try themselves, and holiday ideas one may wish to try implementing in their own life. Possibility emerges.
4. Promotes Healthy Mindsets
As leaders choose the angle of their questions and participants respond to them, the interactive bulletin board becomes a silent promoter of mental wellness. Realizing one's value, feeling their voice is important, and reading response from others to gain previously unexplored perspective promotes confidence and insight.
5. Constructs Intrigue
Rather than being a space that happens to be there, interactive bulletin boards keep drawing individuals back to a space. They become an area that people want to be because they want to catch up on reading new responses and/or respond to the new prompt. Objective enriches community.
When you choose the location for your interactive bulletin board make sure that it is in a noticeable area with lots of foot traffic. Entryways, welcome desks, and at the front of classrooms are examples. Remember that participation is born of high visibility.
Best wishes (and high five) in creating your interactive bulletin board!
xx Melissa Nesdahl
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